Register now for new ‘Belfast Talks Business’

Ulster Bank has partnered with Belfast Chamber of Commerce to deliver a series of events aimed at the city’s business community.

‘Belfast Talks Business’ will be a mix of panel discussions, one-to-one interviews, and presentations bringing fresh, topical and relevant content to the Belfast Business Community.

With each event exploring a different theme, it is hoped the partnership will inform and inspire business owners from across a number of sectors in Belfast and provide them with the support and networks they need to get back on track after a challenging year.

The first event, which takes place on Thursday, April 29, will focus on health tech; a sector which is currently thriving in Belfast thanks to a number of local entrepreneurs who are producing and manufacturing innovative health products. During this session, speakers will explore the many benefits of having a thriving health-tech sector, what this means in the context of a global health pandemic and what impact the City Deal’s focus on this sector will have.

Among the lineup of speakers already confirmed for the first event will be Ulster University’s Professor Jim McLaughlin, and Dr. Roisin Molloy and Julie Brien from TriMedika. Attendees will hear how TriMedika, a Belfast-based producer of smart medical devices, experienced a huge surge in demand for their contactless thermometers during the pandemic, given that these products offer enhanced protection for patients and greatly reduce the risk of contamination. The TriMedika team will share their insights and experiences of bringing innovative medical solutions to market and how they have pivoted during the last year to make these products available to consumers.

Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber, said he was looking forward to hearing from business leaders and entrepreneurs who will play a crucial role in the city’s recovery post-Covid.

“Belfast Chamber is delighted to partner with Ulster Bank on our ‘Belfast Talks Business’ series. Each of the events will seek to inform and inspire with content that is topical, fresh and relevant to the Belfast business community. Through the involvement of a mix of business leaders, decision makers and opinion formers in a range of one-to-one and panel formats, discussing issues and trends affecting the city’s economy, we will explore themes that are high on both Belfast Chamber and Ulster Bank’s agenda and which will be key to our city’s recovery.

“The focus of the first ‘Belfast Talks Business’ is a perfect example. Health has been to the forefront of our minds this past year. What we sometimes don’t fully appreciate is that Belfast has a long tradition of companies producing innovative healthcare technologies. With the help of Professor Jim McLaughlin from Ulster University – recognised in 2019 as one of the ‘Nation’s Lifesavers’ for his work in making a life-changing difference to our health and wellbeing – and local health tech innovators, we will examine why Belfast is a world leader and how, in the context of a global pandemic the city is well placed the lead the world in this growing sector?”

Aileen Lagan, Director of Business Banking with Ulster Bank, is hopeful that the series will strengthen the relationship between Ulster Bank and Belfast Chamber.

“Throughout the pandemic, Ulster Bank has been focused on providing financial support for our customers but as a purpose-driven organisation, we accept that we have a larger role to play in helping towns and cities across Northern Ireland make a recovery.

“Fostering closer relationships with organisations such as Belfast Chamber will allow us to deliver on this aim and I am hopeful that the ‘Belfast Talks Business’ series will engage local business owners and key stakeholders. Hearing from industry leaders and experienced entrepreneurs should kickstart what I hope will be a very useful and productive conversation around what we can all do to support our city. I am excited to hear the ideas that our speakers put forward and grateful to Belfast Chamber for inviting us to be a part of such an important initiative.”

While the first session will take place virtually it is hoped as Covid restrictions ease that some of the later events can take place on a face-to-face basis. Other event themes in the series will include Belfast’s Industrial Giants, FinTech and Cyber Security, and Green Growth.

You can register to join the first event at 10am on Thursday, April 29 by visiting the Belfast Chamber website at https://belfastchamber.com/

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